RISK FACTORS FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN REFUGEE CAMPS: AN ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract: Gender based violence constitutes a violation of human rights and disproportionately affects women and girls. The majority of incidents of GBV in refugee settings are perpetrated by intimate partners. In the present paper risk factors contributing to GBV were traced in five studies regarding GBV in refugee camps. An ecological perspective consisting of four levels (individual, micro-system/relationship, exo-system/community, macro-system/culture/society) was used in order to analyze the factors. Individual factors included frustration, substance use and lack of awareness. Relationship factors included male dominance, women’s economic dependence and infidelity. Community factors included inadequate camp facilities, poverty, social isolation and lack of support as well as weak law enforcement. Cultural factors included cultural gender roles and marriage practices. The ecological framework acts as a valuable tool in order to understand the complex interplay among these factors that leads to GBV, as well as to create suitable interventions to improve women’s well being.